Does conventional wisdom make economic sense? In many cases, it doesn't. This blog will question the economic efficiency and market viability of popular "solutions" to today's problems. Copyright 2011.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

India, When it Can't Get Any Worse

In a previous article titled, "Indians are Bad for Indian Business," I wrote about how local farmers are protesting to keep Tata Motors from building the world's least expensive car (the Nano), and giving the locals good paying jobs. Makes sense, right? Keep yourself chained to dirt farming and forget about improving your life and the life of your family.

Well, it gets worse. In the 23 September issue of The Times Online, there was an article titled, "CEO Murdered by Mob of Sacked Indian Workers." The company, Graziano Transmissioni, is an Italian firm making parts for the Tata Motors Nano, that was to be built in Singur (see previous article, link above). From the article:

Lalit Kishore Choudhary, 47, the head of the Indian operations of Graziano Transmissioni, a manufacturer of car parts that has its headquarters in Italy, died of severe head wounds on Monday after being attacked by scores of laid-off employees, police said.

Further, from the article:

It is understood that Mr Choudhary, who was married with one son, had called a meeting with more than a hundred former employees who had been dismissed after an earlier outbreak of violence at the plant. He wanted to discuss a possible reinstatement deal.

So, if you get fired, and the boss is looking to re-hire you, your best move is to beat him to death, leaving a widow and young son. Brilliant! Murder is a great way to garner sympathy.

Who would advice this course of behavior or promote this attitude? Well look no further than Oscar Fernandes, Minister of Labour and Employment. From a linked story in the Times, "...declined to criticise the attack, saying it “should serve as a warning for management”. "

If Indian wishes to remain a second-class citizen in the world of commerce, it will continue to elect and promote politicians like Fernandes who promote violence and Marxist labor principles. Violence has no place in an orderly society. While workers deserve fair treatment and the dignity due all people, management deserves not to have their lives threatened over working conditions. Who do these guys think they are, Teamsters?